11 Paleo Summer Dinners That Won’t Weigh You Down

Some people panic when they hear the word "Paleo," thinking it requires a significant sacrifice of flavorful foods. But, summertime is the perfect opportunity to eat all those in-season, fresh fruits and veggies that are staples of the caveman diet. 

These Paleo summer dinners won't leave you feeling weighed down by grains or processed foods, so you're free to enjoy tennis, a run, or even a long walk.

Whether you're comfortable outdoors grilling or inside whipping up a colorful salad that's as lovely as it is healthy, you'll find plenty here to fill you up and give you energy at the same time.

Image via Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

Lemongrass Chicken

And here's the meat...we made @nomnompaleo Vietnamese lemongrass chicken & grilled it sliced tri-tip roast & dolloped it with some @stevespaleogoods steak sauce ~ delish! Grilled onions, broccoli salad, little potato salad, our sassy deviled eggs...holy moly ~ so much food!! Don't worry we left room for dessert! ~~~~~ https://backporchpaleo.com/recipes-2/on-the-side/the-devils-sassy-sister/

A photo posted by M & M ~ on the back porch (@backporchpaleo) on Jul 4, 2016 at 7:21pm PDT

Steak, chicken, and deviled eggs make for a pretty presentation as well as a flavorful dinner that won't leave you feeling too full on a hot summer night. Grilled onions and broccoli salad serve as savory side dishes. 

Salad With Bacon & Sweet Potatoes

Tonight's dinner arugula and micro greens with carrot and blueberries, topped with bacon and roasted sweet potatos and dressed in @chosenfoods mayo mixed with home made pesto (recipe here #playinghouserecipes) and on my snap (Playinghouse). When in doubt: mix with mayo (pesto, so racha, balsamic, alluvit). #whole30 #paleodinner #lifeafterdinner #easyeats

A photo posted by Autumn Meyer (@playinghousewholetime) on Jun 30, 2016 at 7:26pm PDT

Look at those lush greens topped with blueberries, bacon, and roasted sweet potatoes. This salad certainly can't be classified as rabbit food. Sweet and salty combine in each tasty bite. Trust us, you'll never miss the croutons.

Beet & Greens Soup

Beet and beet greens soup served cold (polish recipe). It may sounds weird for some people to eat cold soup but this types of soups are really popular in Poland especially in summer ☀️ trust me they're great Ingredients: • 4 young beets with beets greens • 1 cup canned coconut milk or cream • 4-5 radishes • 2 cucumber • lemon • salt, pepper Toppings: hard boiled eggs, dill, chives Directions: • chopped beets greens with halm • grate the beets (big holes) • put beets and beets greens to the pot and pour water. Cook till beets are soft • add juice from one lemon • let it cool • grate cucumber and radishes and add it to the soup. Add coconut milk, season with salt and pepper.Mix it all together • let it cool in fridge for few hours Top with haird boiled eggs, dill and/or chive #paleolifestyle #paleorecipes #paleolife #paleo #eatclean #glutenfree #paleosoup #paleofood #paleofriendly #healthyfood #eathealthy #paleoeats #paleoliving #paleodinner #paleolunch #paleovegan #paleoapproved #chlodnik #polishfood

A photo posted by Dorota Szmeling (@paleoflavor) on Jul 1, 2016 at 4:57pm PDT

Soup and salad in one bowl — how innovative. Served cold, this beautiful beet dish is perfect for a hot night. It comes together quickly, but just remember to allow enough time for this gorgeous soup to chill. It's topped with dill, giving it an extra boost of summertime flavor.

Stuffed Peppers

Happy 4th! Stuffed bell peppers Ingredients: •4 peppers •onion •garlic •salt, pepper, red pepper flakes •1 pound of mincemeat (500g) Directions Preheat oven to 392F(200C) Cut peppers in half and discard seed and membranes. In bowl add minced garlic and onion, season with salt, pepper, fed pepper flakes and mix well. Stuff pepper with meat and place in preheated oven for about 40 minutes. Tip: if you have dairy free cheese or if your not in paleo diet or you want to have a cheat day ;) add shredded cheese on top and bake for another 5 minutes or until cheese melts. #paleolifestyle #paleorecipes #paleolife #paleo #eatclean #glutenfree #paleofood #paleofriendly #healthyfood #eathealthy #paleoeats #paleoliving #paleobreakfast #paleolunch #paleoapproved #paleodinner

A photo posted by Dorota Szmeling (@paleoflavor) on Jul 4, 2016 at 11:47am PDT

Stuffed peppers are such a treat. This recipe isn't too complicated, which makes it perfect for a lazy summer evening. It's delightfully colorful and you can get creative and work with red, orange, yellow, or even green peppers. You'll never miss the pasta.

Taco Salad

Paleo Taco Salads for dinner from @paleorunningmomma! Greens + ground beef + heirloom tomatoes + plantain chips + greens onions + rice + avocado #putstuffongreens #paleo #primal #paleodiet #paleodinner #healthy #holistic #healthliving #healthydinner #food #nutrition #jerf #eatrealfood #realfood #glutenfree #gf

A photo posted by Whole Food, Whole You (@wholefoodwholeyou) on Jun 27, 2016 at 5:58pm PDT

Fans of fresh avocado will love this salad. If you're looking for crunch, you'll find it courtesy of these plantain chips. Ground beef is tucked beneath a mountain of tomatoes and green onions. Yum!

Crispy Chicken

#repost #recipe by @eatdrinkpaleo Double tap if you love crispy skin chicken❤️❤️❤️ This was amazing and I show you how to make it in my latest recipe on the blog Served with honey garlic vegetable saucy thingy. Super affordable too Link in profile today or go to http://eatdrinkpaleo.com.au/crispy-chicken ~

A photo posted by JUST LIVE, Inc. (@justlivebrand) on Jul 1, 2016 at 1:04pm PDT

Can anyone resist crispy chicken? Plus, this dish is served with a honey-garlic vegetable sauce. You'll think you've been transported to a fancy restaurant with this recipe that only looks complicated!

Lamb Stew

So I recently found out I have a MTHFR gene mutation (homozygous A1298C), as well as quite a few other methylation mutations. Tested via @23andme and then ran my results through Genetic Genie. One of the first steps I've taken was to start a heavy metal detox, after learning how difficult it is for those with methylation issues to eliminate heavy metals. This made sense since a heavy metal chelation I did in 2011 was one of the biggest steps I made in improving my gut-related symptoms (after having removed the 15 something amalgam fillings from my mouth). So it seemed a good time to do another one. Excess mercury is associated with brain fog, sleep disturbances, hormonal imbalance/infertility, and candida overgrowth. All things I've dealt with on some level or another. So what does this have to do with stew for dinner? It's about slowing down and having patience with my seems-too-often-to-be struggling body. Patience with the taxing treatments needed to try and get back to "normal." Having stew on a warm summer day while I work through this 6 week HM chelation. Knowing my body needs a little extra TLC than other people's bodies and working on being ok with that. Not really there yet but getting closer. My favorite TLC = high-fat, nutrient dense meals. Full recipe is in the comments.

A photo posted by Angela Gallardo (@barerootgirl) on Jun 30, 2016 at 8:25pm PDT

This looks like the type of dish that would provide you with a week's worth of wonderful leftovers. Just because it's summer, that doesn't mean you have to give up your comfort food. Lamb stew, packed with sweet potatoes and carrots, could offer the perfect cure for one of those nasty summer colds.

Beef Short Ribs

Browning some bone-in beef short ribs coated with @criobru grinds, orange zest, and paprika before moving them to the Instant Pot. High pressure for about 40 minutes and they will be falling off the bone, perfect for shredding and topping over roasted zucchini noodles! P.S. Search the blog for "braised short ribs" for the full recipe.

A photo posted by Angela Gallardo (@barerootgirl) on Mar 8, 2016 at 4:57pm PST

Short ribs are a hit with all ages. If you've been experimenting with spiralizing your veggies, they'll make a colorful and tasty bed for your beef ribs. 

Cajun Shrimp

Add Cajun flair to your shrimp! Link in bio for the recipe: http://paleoleap.com/cajun-style-shrimp/

A photo posted by Paleo Leap (@paleoleap) on Jul 3, 2016 at 2:12pm PDT

Summer is the perfect season to enjoy a little Cajun cuisine, especially if you can wash it down with a nice frosty beverage. A hint of lemon will almost make you think you've been transported to the seaside. 

Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Happy 4th of July!! This is a time for cookouts and enjoyments. I find so many great recipes from @mynaturalfamily and I love all of them! Here is another find example of great and easy #paleorecipe Paleo Teriyaki Chicken Skewers http://www.mynaturalfamily.com/recipes/paleo-recipes/paleo-teriyaki-chicken-skewers-recipe/ Please copy and paste this link onto your browser. @karenshudson #karenshudson #KHSummerFunRecipe #KHrhealthyrecipes #eathealthybehappy #stay be #healthiswealth #khhealthyhomehealthyfamily

A photo posted by Karen Hudson (@karenshudson) on Jul 3, 2016 at 11:50am PDT

You definitely don't need to be a kid to enjoy food on a stick. (Seriously, what is it about it that's so much fun?) And who can resist chicken teriyaki, especially when it's paired with grilled pineapple? It makes us hungry just thinking about it!

Sweet Potato Soup

Creamy Sweet Potato Soup. #obsessed. I made this for Kallie and I tonight for dinner- We both LOVED it! Ingredients: 3lbs sweet potatoes, 1 yellow onion, 2 celery stocks, 2 medium carrots, 1 tbs minced garlic, 5 cups chicken or vegetable stock (I used chicken stalk), 1 cup coconut milk. Directions: Chop all vegetables and place them in a slow cooker with the chicken/vegetable stock and garlic. Turn the slow cooker on high for 4 hours (or low for 6 hours). Purée everything until smooth using a blender or immersion blender. Add the coconut milk, stir, and cook for another 30 minutes. Additions: This soup is great as is, but I tried playing around with different spice additions. Adding a dash of one of the following to your bowl allows for a lot of variety in this one recipe: Cinnamon (the picture above features a swirl of coconut milk and cinnamon sprinkled over the top), curry, turmeric, chipotle pepper, salt and black pepper. Let me know if you try others! I hope you love it!! #paleo #paleomom #paleorecipes

A photo posted by Amy Kuphal (@amy.kuph) on Jul 6, 2016 at 4:22pm PDT

Just because it's summertime, you shouldn't say good-bye to some of your fave winter veggies. This sweet potato soup practically cooks itself in the Crock-Pot. Once it's done, blender those luscious sweet potatoes, onions, celery stalks, and more for a thick bowl of yum! Amy, who shares the recipe, adds a swirl of coconut milk and a dash of cinnamon for a lovely and tasty presentation.